Have any Quarters?

Somehow, we've reached the second half of February. Before you know it, March will come in like lion and out like a lamb. And then, we'll be in April, celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. During this season of Lent, it's typical for believers to "give something up" in order to remember Jesus' incredible sacrifice for us. This year, I'd like to challenge you to do something a little bit different.

If you're one of those who usually give something up during Lent - go ahead and sacrifice. But this year, I'd like to challenge you collect the money you save by not buying your latte, baking and eating chocolate chip cookies, taking a trip to the Dairy Queen or Cold Stone, or supporting your daily addiction to Mountain Dew. Take the money you save and donate it to someone who needs it desperately.

If you typically don't sacrifice something you love during Lent - go ahead and don't give anything up. But this year, I'd like to challenge you to match the funds you spend on your latte, baking and eating chocolate chip cookies, taking a trip to the Dairy Queen or Cold Stone, or supporting your daily addition to Mountain Dew. Take the money you spend on those luxuries and for every dollar you spend, donate it to someone who needs it desperately.

Check this out:

Think of that: $.25 - a single quarter - can feed a child. You can't even buy a can of pop or stick of gum for that anymore. So little can do so much. And I believe this is something that touches the heart of God in ways that we too often neglect in the church today:

"'Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, adn the LORD will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you . . .'" - Isaiah 58:6-11a

Part two of my Lent challenge to you: If you're able, spend a couple hours volunteering at a Feed My Starving Children location. I guarantee you they will be some of the most blessed and rewarding hours of your day, even your year.

So, are you willing to take my challenge? I cannot think of a better way for us to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ than to spread the Gospel - and sometimes, sharing the Gospel starts with a bag of rice.

For more information regarding Feed My Starving Children and to donate your saved or matched funds, simply go to http://www.fmsc.org/.